Sunday, 13 September 2009

Gillett says new shirt sponsorship deal will please and surprise fans

There appears to be more movement in Liverpool football clubs new shirt sponsorship deal. As reported on this site on Thursday, the Reds are on the brink of announcing a new lucrative deal after current sponsors Carlesberg were unwilling to meet the clubs financial assessment reflecting their position as 'one of the most recognisable brands in world football'.

According to the Guardian, the Reds "are set to announce a new shirt sponsorship deal worth £80m over four years – the most lucrative in football history and equal to that of Manchester United."

The London-based international bank, Standard Chartered, are believed to be behind the deal which will start in mid-2010.

The Times says: "The deal with Standard Chartered will be confirmed by Liverpool imminently, with George Gillett Jr, the club’s co-owner, having admitted during a radio interview that he expects a formal announcement to be made on Friday."

The new sponsorship agreement with the London-based international bank will start in mid-2010 once current shirt deal with Carlesberg runs out.

Liverpool co-owner George Gillet had earlier stated that a new deal was close and that supporters would be impressed by the new sponsor.

"I think people will be pleased and surprised," Gillett told a Canadian radio station. "It will be one of the great, worldwide corporations. And I think it will be a sponsor people will be pleased and surprised to be associated with."

Gillett also claims that Liverpool are in excellent financial condition.

"The club is in outstanding shape," Gillett said. "Economically, it's never been stronger. We just paid down our debt very substantially. We have less debt per dollar than any club in the league."